TMZ Sports - Page 50

Dak Prescott just revealed his older brother took his own life this past spring ... and the Dallas Cowboys QB says he's still having a hard time coping with it all.

"I'll never get another hug in my life like the ones he gave," Prescott said of his big brother, Jace. "He was my best friend."

Jace tragically died at 31 years old in April ... but the family hadn't disclosed the cause of death until Dak and his other brother, Tad, sat down for a recent interview with Graham Bensinger.

The two Prescott brothers were extremely emotional talking about Jace's death ... with Dak saying he believes their mom's 2013 fatal battle with colon cancer took an indescribable toll on Jace.

"Jace at the time was finishing with school and was home, was with her and watched it," said 27-year-old Dak, who was away from home playing at Mississippi State at the time.

"She couldn't necessarily hide it from Jace because he was there every day. He saw the times where she would have to spend probably 10-plus hours throwing up, this and that, and saw the medicine she had to take."

"And, almost, you can't even put into the words the burden," Dak continued. "It's something only Jace knew. And he didn't necessarily share that. And Jace was never really much of a talker so when something like that was a huge burden on him, he didn't know how to share it. He didn't know how to be vulnerable about it."

Dak says he was asleep when Jace died by suicide ... saying his father had to wake him up and deliver "some of the worst news that I'll ever get."

Dak says he cried for about 30 minutes with his dad and his friends ... and added, "I wanted to ask 'Why?' for so many reasons."

The NFL star says he's now imploring others to open up about their struggles ... adding, "It showed me how vulnerable we have to be as humans."

"How open we have to be because our adversity, our struggles, what we go through is always going to be too much for ourselves and maybe too much for even one or two people."

"But never too much for a community or never too much for the people and the family that you love. So we have to share those things."

Good news, bad news for Nashville ...

The good -- Justin Timberlake's now officially on board with a plan to bring an MLB team to the city!!!

The bad -- it still appears to be a massive pipe dream.

JT announced Wednesday he's joined on with a big investment group -- headlined by businessman John Loar and ex-Red Sox GM Dave Dombrowski -- to attempt to get Nashville its own MLB team.

The plan sounds amazing on paper ... the group of investors wants to build a new stadium in the downtown Nashville area and have an MLB team playing in it by 2024.

The group has even signed on huge country stars like Eric Church, Luke Combs and Kane Brown in addition to Timberlake in an effort to convince MLB officials the idea is a good one.

The problem? The league's already got 30 teams ... so an expansion might be tough.

As for relocating a squad, there aren't too many teams that appear to be keen on bolting from their home cities at the moment either.

According to the Tennessean, there's also huge questions surrounding the finances -- mainly when it comes to majority funding of the team as well the stadium's costs.

But, Timberlake sounded gassed up over it all regardless Wednesday ... saying in a statement, "I believe in Music City Baseball’s vision of linking baseball and music in a unique way to unite and entertain people and I am excited to help generate awareness throughout the community as we share our vision for bringing MLB to Music City."

Steve Nash admits he was able to "skip the line" to land the Brooklyn Nets head coaching gig ... but strongly believes he's the best man for the job.

The 46-year-old Hall of Famer made his first appearance as the new Nets head coach on Wednesday ... and was asked about the notion he didn't earn the right to have the job since he has no coaching experience in the NBA.

Of course, some critics like Charles Oakley and Byron Scott have said they're disappointed the job didn't go to a Black candidate with a better resume ... like Mark Jackson.

"Well, I did skip the line, frankly," Nash said. "But at the same time I think leading an NBA team [as a player] for almost 2 decades is pretty unique."

"So, while I haven't necessarily learned some of the skills that I'll definitely seek to understand and learn as far as the technical aspects of coaching, I was never far from that."

Nash says he learned "a tremendous amount" during his playing career -- and although "I haven't grinded it out as an assistant coach like many people's path," he says "there's a precedence for players who have strong careers and are leaders and thinkers to get this opportunity."

The 2-time MVP says he will rely on support staff to fill the gaps where he needs help ... but is gunning to use his experiences as a player to lead the way.

"I did skip the line in many aspects. At the same time, there's some experiences there that other people just aren't going to have because of the type of career [I had] in the league."

Of course, Nash is considered one of the best guards in NBA history with 8 All-Star appearances and 7 total All-NBA selections.

Aqib Talib is calling it a career -- saying he's retiring from the NFL, despite a multi-million offer from the New England Patriots.

"Aqib Talib is officially retired," the 34-year-old defensive back said on the "Call to the Booth" show ... "I'm bringing my talents to the booth."

Talib started the 2019 season with the L.A. Rams -- but suffered a rib injury and was traded to the Miami Dolphins after 5 games. He never played a snap in Miami.

After the season, Talib told himself he would play one more year "as long as somebody give me a nice check ... or if someone gave me a nice ass role."

That's when Talib says he got a call from his former coach, Bill Belichick -- who wanted to bring Aqib back to New England for one final season.

"My guy, my big homie Bill Belichick called my phone man, told me that he had the role of a lifetime for me," Talib said.

Talib says the role was to basically cover tight ends -- and initially, Aqib LOVED the idea.

Oh, Talib says New England's offer was around the $6 million mark!

But, when Aqib started evaluating the monsters playing tight end in the NFL right now -- from George Kittle to Travis Kelce -- he quickly reconsidered.

"I looked at this f*cking schedule and the thought 'Can I even strap these damn tight ends?!'"

"Once that negative thought crossed my mind, man my heart, my competitive edge -- like I ain't really in it like that no more ... I just wasn't feeling it no more honestly."

Talib continued, "You gotta play this game with heart. If you don't play with heart, that's how you get real injuries, concussions and bad injuries when you out here playing nervous and things like that."

Talib was a 1st-round NFL Draft Pick back in 2008 out of Kansas -- and went on to play for the Bucs, Patriots, Broncos and Rams ... making the Pro Bowl 5 times.

He also won a Super Bowl with the Denver Broncos.

Myles Garrett wants to meet face-to-face with Mason Rudolph and squash their beef for good ... saying he's down to make peace with the Steelers QB after the infamous helmet-swinging incident.

"If it were to happen, I’d be fine with it,'' the Cleveland Browns superstar told Cleveland.com. "Not just fine, but I wouldn’t mind it and I’d be happy to make it happen, if there were a way."

Of course, Garrett was suspended a total of 6 games in 2019 after he hit Rudolph with the QB's own helmet during a game against Pittsburgh on November 15.

Garrett claims the attack was sparked by Rudolph using a racial slur ... which the QB adamantly denies.

The 24-year-old says he's unsure if Rudolph would accept the invite to meet ... but explains he'd like to chat about "how we move forward, and just being better men and football players and not letting something like that happen again."

And, get this -- Garrett reveals he contemplated leaving the game of football entirely following the incident ... and even thought about starting a baseball or basketball career instead.

"I just would’ve moved onto something else I enjoy and found another way to save my competitive nature, whether it would’ve been trying out for a basketball team or going to play baseball like [Michael] Jordan," Garrett told the outlet.

But, that didn't happen ... as the defensive end just inked a massive 5-year, $125 MILLION extension to stay in Cleveland ... and he's out to prove he's no the helmet-swinging monster people made him out to be.

"What happened, happened, and at the end of the day you have to move forward," Garrett says.

"I was given a second chance and you have to make the best of it. I know something like that won’t happen again, but life’s funny that way."

Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Ryan Shazier has officially decided to retire from the NFL ... nearly 3 years after suffering a serious spinal injury during a game.

The 28-year-old sustained a spinal contusion after attempting a tackle against the Cincinnati Bengals on December 4, 2017 ... and many feared he would be permanently paralyzed from the waist down.

Shazier defied the odds and worked like crazy to rehab following the incident ... slowly improving his mobility over the course of the following year -- and was eventually able to deadlift and jog.

The Pro Bowler has moved on from his dream of returning to the field for new endeavors on Wednesday ... announcing his decision in an emotional video.

"When you play the game of football the way I did, you convince yourself you're Superman. That nothing can stop you," Shazier says.

"But then the moment I got hurt, I stopped being Superman and that was difficult to make sense."

"But, the way I look at it, God put us all here for a purpose. For 20 years, he let me play football and now its time for me to do what he wants me to do."

"I'm gonna step away from the game for a while and see what else life has to offer. I know football will always be here for me if I need it but right now I'm excited to explore new challenges and different paths."

Shazier hints he won't be stepping out of the public eye ... and promises to reveal details about his next project soon.

The linebacker goes on to thank all the coaches, fans and doctors who supported him throughout his rehab process ... and showing how much they care about him off the field.

"When I got hurt, football may have been taken away for me, but everything it gave me is still here inside."

Florida State coaching legend Sue Semrau will step away from the women's basketball program this season to focus on caring for her mother, who is battling ovarian cancer.

Semrau says she's been traveling back and forth from Tallahassee to the family home in Seattle to help out, but the COVID pandemic has complicated things.

"For the past several months I’ve found it increasingly difficult to commute back and forth due to the tedious and ever-changing restrictions as a result of COVID-19," Semrau said.

So, instead of trying to split her time between work and family, Semrau announced she will "step away from the day-to-day coaching through March 2021."

Semrau says she will also forfeit her salary "so it can be used to offset COVID-19-related budget cuts."

"This decision allows me to support my family while providing much needed resources for Seminole Athletics."

Semrau is one of the top coaches in college basketball -- in her 23 seasons at FSU, she's taken the Seminoles to the NCAA tourney 15 times and racked up a 468-252 record.

FSU associate head coach Brooke Wyckoff will take over the head coaching duties until Semrau returns.

"I need you to trust my decision and support our team and staff like never before," Semrau added.

Powerful videos from the families of Ahmaud Arbery and Trayvon Martin -- who thanked Naomi Osaka for her COVID mask tributes at the U.S. Open.

Osaka has been wearing a different name of a violence victim on her face coverings every day of the tournament in NYC ... hoping to bring awareness to Breonna Taylor, Arbery, Martin and others.

And, after her match on Tuesday -- ESPN surprised her with thank you video messages from the families of two of her mask honorees.

In the first, Martin's mom, Sybrina Fulton, praised the 22-year-old tennis player for her tributes ... saying, "We thank you from the bottom of our hearts."

In the second, Arbery's father, Marcus Arbery Sr., added ... "I just want to tell you thank you for the support on my family. And God bless you for what you're doing."

Osaka initially kept her cool on the set while the videos played ... but she admits she broke down in private after viewing them again.

"I often wonder if what I’m doing is resonating and reaching as many people as I hope," Osaka said. "That being said, I tried to hold it in on set but after watching these back I cried so much."

"The strength and the character both of these parents have is beyond me. Love you both, thank you."

In total, Osaka has displayed five masks tributes at the U.S. Open this week ... featuring the names of Taylor, Arbery, Martin, George Floyd and Elijah McClain.

She says she still has others planned for the rest of the tournament as well.

TMZ Sports has obtained the 911 call from the DeAndre Baker alleged armed robbery ...  and the caller is VERY clear the NFL player is the culprit.

"I just got robbed by an NFL player," the caller tells the operator during the May 13 call.

The caller says he was hanging out at a get-together with 23-year-old Baker and other people when a confrontation broke out ... and things escalated quickly.

"I was standing at the back restroom and Dre Baker came around with a gun and him and his friend robbed me," the caller tells the 911 operator.

"[Baker] told his friend to shoot me. And they took my bag and my money and my watch."

The caller says Baker and his associates left the scene in a black G-Wagon and a Lamborghini.

When the operator asks for a description of the suspect, the caller says, "I know exactly who it is … Dre Baker. He plays for the NY Giants."

As we previously reported, Baker has been formally charged with 4 counts of robbery with a firearm ... and faces up to life in prison if convicted.

He was cut by the NY Giants earlier this week.

Baker, through his attorney, has repeatedly denied the allegations and vows to fight the charges.

Jamain Stephens -- a 20-year-old defensive lineman for California University of Pennsylvania -- died Tuesday from complications of COVID-19, according to his high school.

Stephens -- listed at 6'3", 255 pounds -- played the past 3 seasons for the Cal Vulcans. Additionally, he made the University's AD Honor Roll in Fall 2019.

Cal had canceled its 2020 football season because of the COVID pandemic, but apparently, Stephens contracted the virus anyway.

The University confirmed his passing but didn't mention a cause of death. Jamain's high school, Central Catholic, issued a statement saying "Jamain went to his eternal reward after suffering from complications of COVID-19."

Here's more from Central Catholic ...

"Known more commonly by his nickname, 'Juice,' Jamain was a defensive lineman for the Vikings, winning two WPIAL championships and a state championship in 2015. Jamain went on to continue his football career at California University of Pennsylvania, majoring in Business Administration."

Cal U athletic director Karen Hjerpe also issued a statement on Jamain's death -- calling him a "wonderful student with a smile on his face every time you saw him."

"His personality was contagious and he made such a positive impact on everyone he met."

Jamain's father -- Jamain Stephens -- was an offensive lineman in the NFL from 1997 to 2001 ... playing for the Cincinnati Bengals and Pittsburgh Steelers.

RIP

Bronny James could be the LeBron James of gaming ... so says FaZe Clan superstar FaZe Banks -- who tells TMZ Sports the King's son is straight-up born for Esports stardom!!!

"Listen," Banks said, "look at him. He was built for this sh*t! Look at him and his dad. He's a competitor, you know?!"

Of course, Bronny just agreed last week to join up with FaZe Clan -- the most famous Esports team on the planet -- and when we got Banks outside of BOA in L.A., he told us he couldn't be happier to have LeBron's kid on the squad.

In fact, Banks is adamant Bronny's addition ain't a publicity stunt ... telling us the 15-year-old can seriously ball on the sticks!!

"He's really good at Fortnite," Banks said. "He plays [Call of Duty] too!"

Banks tells us he sees MASSIVE potential for Bronny in the video game world ... saying Esports are "the f**king future!"

But, don't worry NBA fans ... Banks is still advising Bronny to put most of his focus on the hardwood for now.

NBA baller DeMarcus Cousins is parting ways with his Las Vegas mansion -- complete with home theater, indoor hoops court and ELEVATOR -- and it can be yours for $8 MILLION!!!

The place is more like a hotel resort than a house ... with 10 bedrooms, 12 bathrooms and a massive outdoor pool with waterfalls and a water slide.

The inside has everything you could ask for -- a master suite with a spa-like bathroom, gourmet kitchen, billiards room, wet bar, sports media room and plenty of offices.

Oh yeah, and did we mention the freakin' elevator?!

And, naturally, the lucky buyer can follow Boogie's footsteps and work towards becoming a 4-time NBA All-Star by using the indoor court to work on their jumper!!

And, if that ain't enough, there's a state-of-the-art gym to also get your swole sesh on.

Or, if working out isn't your thing ... the crib is a short drive from the Las Vegas strip!!

Cousins was known to spend a bunch of time in Vegas during the NBA offseasons, where he would do most of his training.

The pad -- listed with Bob & Jill Barnhart of Luxurious Real Estate -- just hit the market ... so if ya got $8 milli lying around, you know what to do.

Boxing prodigy Danny Gonzalez -- who signed with Floyd Mayweather's The Money Team in 2016 -- was shot and killed on Labor Day, officials confirm.

The 22-year-old was hanging out in Moreno Valley, CA on Sept. 7 around 9 PM when someone approached the fighter and opened fire.

The Riverside County Sheriff's Dept. says deputies and paramedics responded to the scene where Gonzalez was pronounced dead.

Two other people who were with Danny (both teenagers) were transported to a nearby hospital where they were treated for non-life-threatening injuries, officials say.

An investigation is underway ... so far, no suspects have been identified and cops say they have not determined a motive.

WBC president Mauricio Sulaiman confirmed the tragic news Tuesday ... saying, "We are very sad to report the tragic death of boxer and top prospect, Danny González."

"We send our deepest condolences and prayers to the Gonzalez family at this hard time. May Danny rest in eternal peace."

Gonzalez signed with Floyd Mayweather's TMT Promotions when he was only 18 years old ... and at the time, Floyd raved about the kid.

"There are certain times when you know you've just struck gold and this is one of them," Floyd said in 2016.

Floyd praised Danny's "incredible amateur record" of 96-13 ... and called him a "force to be reckoned with!"

ARE YOU READY FOR SOME FOOTBALLLL?!?!?! will NOT be asked before "Monday Night Football" games in 2020 ... 'cause ESPN is ditching Hank Williams Jr.'s classic intro for a more COVID-friendly track.

Of course, the singer's '"All My Rowdy Friends Are Here On Monday Night" has been part of MNF's presentation dating back to 1989 ... but execs reportedly wanted to call an audible during the pandemic, given most stadiums will be empty.

In other words ... folks are supposed to be social distancing -- NOT getting rowdy together.

ESPN will replace Williams, Jr.'s song with a remix of the late Little Richard's "Rip It Up" ... featuring music by a band called Butcher Brown, according to Sports Business Daily.

No word on what the plan will be once the coronavirus sitch is over ... but ESPN has dropped Williams' track in 2011 over negative comments he made against Barack Obama and Joe Biden on Fox News. He was later brought back in 2017.

Either way ... we're one more day closer to actually kicking this season off.